Multi layered peel away disposable gloves

ABSTRACT

A disposable glove is provided that includes a first layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user&#39;s hand and a second layer also configured to cover at least a portion of the user&#39;s hand, The first layer is disposed over the first layer such that both layers cover at least a portion of the user&#39;s hand up to the wrist. At least the second layer includes a tab extending from an opening of the second layer at the user&#39;s wrist and where the second layer is configured to be peeled away from the first layer by pulling the tab associated with the second layer.

BACKGROUND

This patent application relates to personal protection equipment and more particularly gloves.

Disposable gloves for medical and other purposes are known. With these types of gloves, users place gloves over clean hands, perform the intended action, remove and dispose the soiled gloves, clean hands, and repeat this procedure for the next action. This process is time consuming at least in part because users typically wash hands after each removal of a set of soiled gloves and have to place a fresh set of gloves over the user's hands. Moreover, any time that bare hands are exposed, there is a potential for contamination. Accordingly, there is a need for disposable gloves that are not so limited.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a disposable glove is provided that includes a first layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's hand; and a second layer configured to cover at least a portion of the user's hand, wherein the first layer is disposed over the first layer so as for both layers to cover at least a portion of the user's hand up to the wrist, wherein at least the second layer comprises a tab extending from an opening of the second layer at the user's wrist and wherein the second layer is configured to be peeled away from the first layer by pulling the tab associated with the second layer.

Other aspects will be apparent from the disclosure below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a multilayered peel away glove according to a first embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a multilayered peel away glove according to a second embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a multilayered peel away glove according to a third embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the multilayered peel away glove at the wrist section according to a third embodiment of the gloves disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application provides multilayered gloves which overcome some or all the drawbacks associated with those in the prior art. Although various embodiments of gloves are disclosed herein, it is understood that variations thereof are possible, and the specific embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a preassembled double layered, peel away glove 100 is provided that includes a first layer and a second layer, where the second layer covers the first layer entirely or any portion thereof, preferably the portion covering the hand up to the wrist. Importantly, each of the layers has a tab thereon at the entry point (i.e., at the wrist), including a first tab 102 and a second tab 104. The tabs 102, 104 are preferably staggered laterally around the wrist opening portion 106 as shown to allow for the upper layer 104 to be removed from the lower layer 102 without interfering with the fit of the lower layer 102 on the user's hand. Although shown at the wrist, the tabs may be at other locations on the glove, such as at the top of the user's hand opposite the palm, or any other location that does not interfere with the user's activity while using the gloves. In this embodiment, the tabs for the lower layers may be hidden from view by the upper layers. Moreover, although shown as gloves that accommodate each of the user's fingers individually, the glove may be in the form of a mitten or combination thereof. Additionally, the first layer may be a glove that accommodates fingers individually and the second or any subsequent layer may be a mitten.

The layers may have the same thickness, e.g., 1-8 mil, or in certain embodiments, the lower layer 102 may have a thickness greater than the thickness of the second 104 or any other upper layer. For example, the lower layer may have a 4-8 mil thickness and the upper layer may have a 1-4 mil thickness. The upper layer may similarly be thicker than the lower layer. Finally, the different layers may be made of different elastomeric materials. For example, the lower layer may be a latex-free material and the upper layer may be a latex containing elastomeric material. Similarly, nitril and vinyl layers may be used, as well as impregnated polymers, for example, with antimicrobial agents. In at least one embodiment, at least two of the layers are made from a material impregnated with different antimicrobial agents.

Referring to FIG. 2-3, the multilayer glove may have three or four layers, respectively. Again, the tabs are staggered laterally and/or circumferentially around the wrist, preferably around the opening, so that each layer is readily identifiable for removing the upper most layer when that layer becomes soiled, without disturbing the lower layers. The tabs preferably include indicia for identifying the level of the layer. For example, the first, second, third, etc., layers may be numbered sequentially, as shown. This way, the user identifies the layer to be removed by selecting the numerically next highest tab. Although embodiments with two-four layers are shown in the figures, it is understood that more layers may be used, limited only by any perceived limitations with respect to the combined thickness of the gloves.

Antimicrobial, e.g., anti-bacterial and/or antiviral, agents may be disposed between the glove layers. These include alcohol and alcohol containing gels, as well as other agents in liquid, gel, and powder forms, and may further include polymeric nano-spheres with agents disposed therein for controlled release of the agents. These agents may further include compounds, such as wax, that further facilitate release of one layer from another. Moreover, different agents may be provided between the different layers of gloves. For example, an antibacterial may be applied between the first and second layers, and an antifungal may be applied between the second and third layers. Similarly, different sets of agents may be applied between different layers. For example, an antibacterial and antiviral may be applied between the first and second layers, and an antiviral and antifungal may be applied between the second and third layers. The different combinations will vary depending on the ultimate purpose of the gloves.

Referring to FIG. 4, a detail of the multilayer glove at the wrist section is shown. As can be seen, the glove may include four easy to peel tabs, equally and uniformly sized and spaced. In at least one embodiment, the area at the wrist of the glove may be reinforced, for example, with a thicker section or a plurality of ribs formed therein. The reinforcement stiffens this area for easier placement of the user's hand within the gloves. The stiffening further provides a more stable base for more effectively peeling away each of the layers. In this regard, the reinforcement may be provided only in the lower layers and may be progressively applied to each of the layers. That is, the thickness at the wrist of the first layer may be greater than that of the second and third layer, and the second layer thickness may be greater than that of the third layer, etc. Stiffness may further be provided with a low tack adhesive between the layers, at all or mostly all of the glove or more preferably at the wrist section of the glove. This low tack adhesive may further be applied to the fingertips of the glove to provide a more unitary feel even with plural layers.

The gloves discussed herein may be produced in a variety of ways. For example, gloves with tabs may be mechanically placed one over the other to achieve the desired thickness and/or number of layers. Alternatively, the layers may be created using a mold which is dipped in a material in a liquid state, allowed to cure, and dipped in the material again to create the second layer and each subsequent layer. Preferably, a release or other agent is applied between the layers, for example, to facilitate the peeling away of the upper layer by the user. Instead of dipping, the material and/or the agent may be sprayed onto the mold until the desired thickness is achieved, followed by curing, optionally applying the desired agent(s) between the layers, and repeating these steps for each layer.

While the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention. 

1. Disposable gloves, comprising: a first layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's hand; and a second layer configured to cover at least a portion of the user's hand, wherein the first layer is disposed over the first layer so as for both layers to cover at least a portion of the user's hand up to the wrist, wherein at least the second layer comprises a tab extending from an opening of the second layer at the user's wrist and wherein the second layer is configured to be peeled away from the first layer by pulling the tab associated with the second layer.
 2. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first and the second layer are preassembled.
 3. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer are configured to entirely cover the user's hand up to the user's wrist.
 4. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the tabs associated with the first and the second layers are staggered laterally around the user's wrist.
 5. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein tab associated with the first layer is hidden from view by the second layer.
 6. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first layer is configured as a five-finger glove and wherein the second layer is configured as a mitten.
 7. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers have equal thickness.
 8. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers have unequal thickness.
 9. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first layer has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the second layer.
 10. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first layer has a thickness that is 4 times greater than a thickness of the second layer.
 11. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first layer is made from an elastomeric material that has a composition that is different than the composition of the second layer.
 12. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are impregnated with different antimicrobial agents.
 13. The disposable gloves of claim 1, wherein the tabs include indicia for identifying a level of the layer.
 14. The disposable gloves of claim 13, wherein the tabs include numbering indicating the level of the layer.
 15. The disposable gloves of claim 1, comprising a first antimicrobial agent between the first and second layers.
 16. The disposable gloves of claim 15, comprising a third layer disposed over the second layer, and a second antimicrobial agent between the second and third layers.
 17. The disposable gloves of claim 1, comprising a low tack adhesive between the first and second layers.
 18. The disposable gloves of claim 17, wherein the low tack adhesive at a wrist section between the first and second layers.
 19. The disposable gloves of claim 17, wherein the low tack adhesive at a wrist section between the first and second layers. 